Chapter Two #2
“Not much.” I shrug. “I should probably help buy you some groceries considering how much teenagers eat. I remember those days.” I smile to lighten the mood.
“Oh, no worries. I enjoy having her here. She and Olivia are like sisters.”
“Sam,” Maisie says, pausing our conversation. “May I have something to drink?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart.” Sam goes over to the fridge. “What would you like?”
I drift into the dining room and over to the rectangular table that I noticed earlier in front of a large arched window.
The tabletop looks like solid wood with a dark mocha finish in a plank-style construction.
The bottom of the table has an off-white finish with the benches on each side and the two chairs at the end, matching the table.
The house, from what I’ve seen, is decorated in a modern farmhouse style.
I turn back to the kitchen. The cabinets are a blueish color with white countertops, and a brick backsplash. “Your kitchen is nicely done. And this table has good craftsmanship.”
“Thank you,” Sam says, setting a glass of juice in front of Maisie then joining me. She runs her hand across the tabletop. “My brother and I built this. Well, mainly he did, but I do all the finishing work.”
“Impressive.”
“Thank you. We also restore old furniture and give it a new life.” Sam walks over to her purse and pulls out a card. “In case you ever want to check it out.”
I take the card and look at the names printed on the front. Sam Carter and Luke Sanford. “Luke’s your husband?”
Sam laughs. “My brother.”
“What are you doing here?” Kara’s voice interrupts my thoughts. When our eyes meet, anger is all I see.
“Better yet,” I retort, “why weren’t you here?
” Kara starts to answer with some bullshit excuse, but I hold up my hand to stop her.
“Save it for home.” I point to the door.
“Car. Now.” Kara turns and storms out the door, leaving Olivia standing motionless behind her.
I turn to Sam and force a small smile even though my insides are twisted.
“Thank you for allowing us to wait for Kara. Maisie,” I say, motioning for her to join me. “Let’s go, honey.”
“Bye, Sam.” Maisie waves before jumping down from her seat. “Thanks for the snacks.”
“You’re welcome, honey.” Sam waves at Maisie, then her eyes find mine. I see the concern on her face. It seems as if she’s holding something back, whether it’s motherly advice, a suggestion, or a helping hand, yet no words leave her lips. I drop her gaze and don’t turn back as I walk out.
When I reach the car, Kara’s propped against the outside of the back window, looking at her phone.
So, it seems it does work after all. I click the key to unlock the doors.
Kara climbs in the back seat and slams the door.
I don’t say a word to her. Maisie closes the door on the passenger side and buckles in.
I remember when they used to argue about who was going to ride up front when I bought the Jaguar. We begin the quiet drive home.
My mind races on how to handle this. I’ve never disciplined the girls.
I was the cool, fun aunt. The one who took them shopping, bought them gifts, or took them to get their nails done.
I don’t want to be this person. It wasn’t supposed to be me.
But it is me now. And Kara can’t keep doing whatever she wants without consequence.
The problem is, every time I push, she pulls further away.
And right now, I can’t afford to lose her completely.
Not when she’s already lost so much. So, where’s the line between holding her accountable and holding on to her?
I pull into the garage and before I can even put the car in park, Kara jumps out.
“Hey!” I yell as she rushes into the house, ignoring me.
Maisie covers her ears with her hands and puts her head down.
I reach over and stroke her arm. She looks at me with watery eyes.
“Everything’s okay.” I soften my voice. “Ready to go in?”
Maisie goes straight to the living room and sits down in front of her books. Kara’s nowhere to be seen. I go upstairs and knock on her bedroom door. No answer. I knock again.
“Go away!” Kara yells.
I turn the doorknob to find it locked. “Let me in, Kara.”
“I want to be alone,” she shouts.
I take a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“You have two choices. You can either unlock this door so we can talk, or I’ll take off the door, and you spend the rest of the month without it.
” I step back and wait a couple of minutes to see what she’ll do.
As I start to walk away to get the tools, I hear the lock click and the door swing open.
“Good choice,” I say, walking in as Kara climbs onto the bed and sits cross-legged against her headboard.
She picks up her cell phone and begins scrolling on it.
I walk to the edge of her bed and hold out my hand. Kara stares at me.
“What now?” she utters.
“Give me your phone.” I motion for her to hand it over.
“No way!”
“I wasn’t asking.” I keep my hand in place.
Kara slams the phone on the bed in front of me and pushes back abruptly against the headboard, causing it to bang against the wall. “You’re so mean.”
“No, sweetheart. I’m not. But if you want me to be strict, then that’s what you’ll get.
” I pick up her phone and sit down at her feet.
She turns her head away. “You lied to me today. This is becoming a pattern that I don’t appreciate.
You broke my trust, and it’s up to you to earn it back.
I’m worried about you, Kara. Why won’t you talk to me? ”
Kara crosses her arms as she continues to stare across the room. “I have nothing to say.”
“Honey…” I place my hand on her leg. She immediately jerks away. I sigh. “I know you’re hurting. I’m always going to be here for you, but if you won’t talk to me then please let me get someone you will feel—”
“No.” Kara stands and walks over to the papasan chair in the corner of her room. She sits down and stares out the window. The fading sun blankets the room with a light-orange glow. “Absolutely not.” Her voice is stern.
“Okay.” I nod, not knowing what else to do. “You’re grounded for a week. I’ll take you to school and pick you up.” I stand and walk to the door.
“Can I at least have my phone back?”
“Nah. You don’t know how to answer or return a call anyway.” I close the door behind me as a loud grunt from Kara fills the air.
I make my way back toward the kitchen but stop off to check on Maisie. She’s sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table with her head lying on her arm. She’s twirling her pencil. I sit behind her on the couch and run my fingers through her ponytail.
“How are you doing, honey?”
She shrugs, making no effort to sit up.
“Homework all done?”
She nods.
“Want to help me cook dinner?” Maisie cuts her eyes toward me, interested in that idea. All three of us used to help Annie in the kitchen. We’d make a mess but had a blast doing so.
“What are you making?”
“Um…” I squint my eyes and tap my finger against my mouth. A small giggle escapes her little body, so I know I’m on the right track. “What would you like?”
She pops her head up. “Chicken fingers and french fries!”
“And mac and cheese?” I ask.
“Yes! And lots of ketchup.” Maisie smiles wide, showing all the teeth that she’s lost and the new ones coming in.
“Sounds perfect.” I stand and hold out my hand.
Maisie and I gather pans to bake the chicken tenders and fries. First we boil the water for mac and cheese. We turn some music on and dance while we cook. I glance toward the stairs hoping that Kara will come down and join us like she used to. But she doesn’t.
When the food is done, I send Maisie up to get Kara who, of course, says she isn’t hungry.
I give her no choice but to join us. Maisie eats all the food on her plate, and I praise her for doing so.
Kara eats only one chicken tender and half her fries, then heads back to her room.
I know she eats because Sam told me she does.
I also find empty boxes and bags in the trash in the mornings.
Obviously, she’s sneaking down to the kitchen while I’m asleep.
I just need to figure out how to get her to open up to me, so we can get back on track.